Personal care compositions with color changing indicator

Abstract

The invention describes a composition for use in disinfecting a surface for personal use, such as a public restroom facility or telephone. The composition and delivery of the composition provides for the placement of a thin layer of disinfectant which includes a acid-base indicator. The acid-base indicator disappears as the thin layer effects the germicidal activity of the disinfectant. The composition is also rapidly drying, so that the acid-base indicator disappears as well as the disinfecting composition leaving the surface dry. The invention also relates to use of the compositions in a lotion, such as a sunscreen. Use of the acid-base indicator provides a method to visualize where the lotion is applied by color, with the color then later dissipating.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Ser. Nos. 60 / 696,872, filed Jul. 6, 2005 (Attorney docket number 186573 / US), entitled “Color Changing Compositions and Articles” and 60 / 711,183, filed Aug. 25, 2005 (Attorney docket number 186978 / US), entitled “Substituted Phenol-Based Aqueous Indicators”. [0002] This application also claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Ser. Nos. 60 / 734,338, filed Nov. 7, 2005 (Attorney docket number 187219 / US), entitled “Germicide and Dye Composition”, 60 / 734,230, filed Nov. 7, 2005 (Attorney docket number 187221 / US), entitled “Lotion Which is Temporarily Colored Upon Application”, 60 / 734,144, filed Nov. 7, 2005 (Attorney docket number 187223 / US), entitled “Disposable Surface Wipe Article Having a Waste Contamination Dye”, 60 / 734,186, filed Nov. 7, 2005 (Attorney docket number 187224 / US), entitled “Waste Contamination Dye Implement Containing Cleaning Composition and Disappear...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The invention provides a germicidal composition with a disappearing acid-base indicator described vide infra which can be sprayed or otherwise spread on a surface with the acid-base indicator indicating the delivery of the germicide. Although the acid-base indicator is added for color, it is thoroughly mixed and completely dispersed in the system so that a coating or fine layer of spray imparts the visual colored composition will also indicate an active germicidal coating or layer. The germicide is effective against Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) as well as bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, enteric bacteria Escherichia coli 011K58 (Pathogenic), Shigella sonnei and Salmonella typhimurium, and the yeast Candida albicans. The acid-base indicator will be quite noticeable on lighter colored surface and therefore give a visual check as to the area disinfected. It is believed a novel spray with a acid-base indicator included will enhance usage by the consumer.

[0018] Another aspect of the germicide is to provide one or more detergents as germicides. The detergents are surface active and attack the target pathogen but also, through the surface active qualities, causes the composition in spray form or otherwise to spread effectively on the surface to be disinfected. The spreading aspect is helpful because the individual droplets dispensed from any type of spray device will spread to provide a more even layer before drying.

[0019] In addition to the delivery of an effective germicide for a broad range of organisms with a acid-base indicator, the composition is also quick drying. The composition can be used in a spray form or applied with an absorbent wipe in a layer which will dry rapidly or can be wiped off the surface with toilet tissue.

[0021] The present invention also provides a composition and method that indicate when the bacteria are destroyed by visualizing a color change of the solution that is applied to the surface of an object. Once the individual has applied a composition of the invention to a surface, the surface can be rubbed with the solution, or the solution can be left as a thin film or coating. The color of the film on the surface will change for clear to colorless, colorless to colored or from one color to another color, depending upon the choice of acid-base indicator. The time that it takes for the color to change is a sufficient period of time to kill the organism. Generally, this time period is from a few seconds to a few minutes. An advantage of the compositions of the invention is that the person can visualize the surface area treated; those areas that are not treated will not undergo a color change and the person can apply the composition to that untreated surface area.

[0027] The present invention also includes a method for applying and distributing sunscreens and lotions evenly. In one aspect of the invention, a color indicator (an acid-base indicator described infra) is added to such sunscreens or lotions for visual detection by a user of the sunscreen or lotion. The acid-base indicator in the sunscreen or lotion composition initially has a visible color upon application to the skin, and changes or becomes clear (colorless) after a short time period (i.e., between about 0.5 and 10 minutes), thereby permitting the normal or unimpeded use of the product for its intended function (i.e., after the short time period, the user is not colored by the acid-base indicator but rather has a skin color appearance that normally results from application of an uncolored lotion or sunscreen). The presence of the visible color on the epidermis is indicative of the location and amount of composition thereon, thereby enabling total coverage with, and even distribution of, the composition. In one aspect of the invention, such an even distribution of sunscreen ointment results in uniform protection from exposure to UV radiation.

Problems solved by technology

The paper covers do not contain a germicide and are not always available.

There are a number of commercially available germicides that are sprayed onto surfaces but none provide a way to determine when the surface has been adequately treated.

Conventional disposable surface wipes, such as the cleaning articles listed above, do not provide any indication of the presence of, or the efficacy of removal of, bodily waste contamination which is undetectable by unaided human vision.

This is an important limitation due to the potential for skin irritation (in the case, for example, of feces) if waste residue is left on the skin and / or the potential for further spreading waste to other contacted surfaces thereby spreading potentially harmful organisms or other waste components to such surfaces.

Many times when the person wearing the diaper contaminates it with urine, they are unable to alert the person responsible of changing the diaper that it is dirty.

This is because small children lack the vocabulary and the elderly suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's, and other elderly diseases.

The time-lapse between the wetting of the diaper and the discovery by the changer that is wet is a cause of diaper rash and sores for the wearer.

However, extended exposure of human skin to ultraviolet light is known to have adverse consequences, both in the short term and in the long term.

Specifically, in the short term, individuals exposed to UV risk a painful sunburn and keratitis.

In the long term, extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation can result in photo-aging and “leathery” skin, and can further result in various forms of skin cancer and ultimately death.

Fair-skinned individuals are particularly susceptible to sun-induced skin disorders and cancers.

However, even darker skinned individuals exposed to prolonged sunlight incur a high risk of skin cancer and exacerbated aging.

Typical sunscreen lotions and the like are applied as clear or white creams that are difficult to see upon application.

It is thus difficult for a user of these typical sunscreen lotions to assure even and complete coverage on the body.

Consequently, it is common to miss spots, resulting in an uneven tan or burn, and the increased susceptibility to the several risks discussed above.

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